Game apparatus.



w. T. CUNGEH. GAME APPARATUS. v APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. I9I6.

l @yo Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

WILLIAM T. VCLINGER, 0F OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

rarement ren. as, raie.

Application led March 6, 1916, Serial No. 32,482.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLiAM T. CLINenn, a citizen of the United States, residing at @il City, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus as is designed vfor the employment of articles intended for aerial projection. Y

The primary objectin view is the testing ofthe skill ofthe player; by limiting the path of travel of the projectile and requiring the direction of the projectile along such restricted path for the successful playing of the game.` f

With this and further objects in view, as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention cornprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as subsequently specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawinggp Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the casing detached from its supporting frame. j

lTig. 3 is a detail, fragmentary, vertical section through the lower portion of the casing.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1, 1 indicate the bars and upright frame designed to support a casing 2. rlhe casing y2 is a hollow, tubular member of any appropriate material, such as papier-mch or fabric, or the like, and may have any contour consistent with the functions herein-- after attributed to it, but preferably is formed conical or frusto-conical, tapering downward. The upper end or base of the cone is bounded by a ring 3, preferably of metal, for giving stability to the casing, and at diametrlcally opposite points the ring is provided with trunnions 4, 4, outstanding and finding bearings in the upper end portions of bars 1. The upper end of the casing 2 is provided with a closure or cover 4 .formed of fabric or other appropriate material and provided centrally with an opening 5. rlhe opening 5 is constructed to be variable in dimension, and the variation may be obtained in any of numerous ways, one simple method being indicated consisting of having the central portion of the cover 4 formed of netting and a draw-string passed through certain portions of the mesh and tied to form the border of the opening 5. To increase the size of the opening it is only necessary to turn back more of the netting and lace the drawstring through outer portions thereof. Converse operation willprovide the reduction in the size of the opening 5 when it is desired to reduce the same.

The lower end of the casing 2 is closed by a cover 7 formed with an aperture 8 through which is destined to extend a portion of the' football or other like projectile 9. The football 9 is of a diameter less than that of the smaller end ,of the casing 2 and less than the diameter of the opening 5, so that said ball can be projected axially of the casing 2 and through the opening 5. 1t will now be clear that the opening 5 maybe varied in diameter, either according to the skill of the player or consistent with di'erent sizes of balls 9. The bottom closure 7 is of fabric or other flexible material, and a part of the lower end portion of casing 2 is also of flexible material, as indicated at 10, so as to avoid liability of injury to the operator when kicking the ball in the event that he strikes the casing instead of the ball, or in addition to striking the ball.

The casing 2 may be caused to assume any location relative to the horizon, but, as seen in Fig. l, is preferably inclined and is held in the inclined position by appropriate stays 11 attached near the lower end, and a cooperating stay 12 attached at or near the upper end of the casing. To prevent collapse of the flexible portion 10 of the casing, a stay 13 is connected at the eXtreme lower portion thereof and extended to the stay 12 in position for sustaining the portion 10 of casing 1 in proper alinement with the rest of the casing. Of course, when the casing 2 is used in a vertical position the stays 11, 12 and 13 will not be required.

The frame 1 may be retained in position by any appropriate securing means, as, for example, guy lines 14, 14.

The operation of the structure it is believed will be apparent from the descrip tion, and consists briefly in depositing a football in the casing 2 and locating it in the aperture 8 yso as to be accessible to the foot of the player. The object of the player is to kick the ball with such force and ac curacy as to drive it through the'opening 5. Thev scores and rules may be varied at the Y pleasure of the player. Y

ktris obvious, of course, that the casingV 2 may vary in size and proportions, but should be of ksuch length yas to require some little practice and skill in the driving of the ball fromthe aperture 8 through the aperture 5.

A casing 2 ten or twelve feet in length' will provide means for amusement and practice,

and after a player has become very proficient he will probably ind it desirable to use casings of greater length. .Y

What I claim is l. In afgame apparatus,a hollow casing` having a closure at one end formed with an opening through which a football is adapted to be projected from within the casing, and means for sustaining a football adjacent the vopposite end 0f the casing in position for vend of the casing.

' 3. In a game apparatus, a hollow casing, a closure therefor having an opening through which a projectile is adapted to move when vmoving longitudinally of and within the Copies of this patent :hay be obtained for casing, and a' support for a projectile at the opposite end of the casing.

4. In a game apparatus, a hollow casing, al closure therefor having an opening through which a projectile is adapted to move when moving longitudinally of and Within the casing, Vand a flexible support for a projectile at the opposite end.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination with a frame, of a conical casing sustained thereby with its larger end upward, a cover for the larger end of the casing having an opening through which a projectile moving longitudinally of the casing is adapted to pass, and means at the lower end of the casing for supporting a projectile in position for being struck so as to be projected longitudinally of the casing.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination with a frame, of a conical casing sustained thereby with its larger end upward, a cover for the larger end of the casing having an opening through which a projectile moving longitudinally of the casing is adapted to pass, means at the lower end of the casing for supporting a projectile in position for being struck so as to be projected longitudinally of the casing, and means for sustaining the casing in an inclined position.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM T. CLINGER.

Witnesses:

MAY M. MCVEUGH, Eri-1m. M. CLINGER.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti,

Washington, D. C. 

